Ear Mites in Cats

Ear mites are tiny, crab-like parasites that invade the outer ears and ear canals of cats. Ear mites multiply quickly and can easily jump from pet to pet, including other species present in the home, including dogs and rabbits.

How can I tell if my cat has ear mites? If you notice any of the following symptoms, it’s possible that your cat may have ear mites. A trip to your vet will confirm the diagnosis. If untreated, an ear mite infestation can become severe and lead to partial or complete hearing loss for your cat. Ear mites are also terribly uncomfortable for your cat. The sooner you can get this situation treated, the happier and healthier your cat will be.

Signs that Your Cat May Have Ear Mites:

• Excessive scratching of the ears
• Fresh or dried blood inside of the ear canal which may resemble coffee grounds. Small white dots might also be noticed: these are the actual mites. Excessive shaking of the head
• Dizziness and loss of balance
• A lopsided appearance with your cat favoring one ear
• Flattened ears and/or unpleasant odor

What does a cat ear mite infection look like? In this case a picture really is worth a thousand words. Look for these things:

Ear mites on cats are not just found in the ears. This parasite can travel all over the cat’s body. Ear mites think other species are tasty too, and they are very contagious. Without treatment, your cat’s ear mite infestation can spread to the family dog, rabbit or hamsters. All family pets have to be treated if mites are found on just one animal. That’s just one more reason why a trip to your local veterinarian or pet health care clinic should be scheduled if you suspect ear mites. Parasites are just one cause of cat otitis (inflammation of the ear). Other causes include allergies, endocrine diseases and tumors. Only a trip to the vet will provide you with a proper diagnosis.

Two-Step Treatments For Ear Mites:

First you must treat the ears. NaturPet Ear Drops will both clean your cat’s ears, as well as eradicate ear mites and kill off any bacterial or yeast infection. NaturPet Ear Drops are safe and can even be applied to kittens.

Because mites can be located outside the ear area, the entire body of the cat should also be treated. The cat should be bathed in a natural anti-parasite shampoo containing neem, cedar oil, or leleshwa. Use along with NaturPet’s D Wormer, which contains herbs to eradicate most parasites. (all but heartworm)

Fast Facts About Feline Ear Mites:

• Ear mites are extremely tiny and not always visible to the naked eye, so a vet will have to examine your cat’s ears with a special instrument known as an otoscope to confirm their presence.
• A secondary infection can result if the ear mite infestation is not treated. The sooner you bring your cat to the vet, the better. Your family pet health provider will check the cat’s ears and may examine the discharge from the ears under a microscope.
• Other animals can catch ear mites from a cat, but humans cannot.
• The ear mite life cycle from eggs to adult takes about 21 days. From the time your cat becomes infected to the time the ear mites reach maturity, your kitty might be infested with hundreds or thousands of mites. A quick visit to the vet and prompt treatment is the best solution.